TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
And rejoice before the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name—you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, the Levites in your towns, and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows living among you. Deuteronomy 16:11
Read: Deuteronomy 16:11-14
Listen: Deuteronomy 16
TODAY’S MESSAGE
As the Israelites make plans and pack bags for the feasts in Jerusalem, God wants to make sure they don’t forget something. Rather, they weren’t to forget someone—those that didn’t have the economic margin to make the trip. The plans for Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles are to include more than their immediate family. They are to invite everyone around them to attend, encompassing those who might not have the opportunity or ability to go. They are to expand their family. It is an outward focus.
We’re to do the same thing as we enter the holiday season. Thanksgiving is past, but Christmas is not too far away. We can now look for those outside our family who need what we have. Think of those who don’t have family, those who’ve recently lost loved ones or college students unable to go home. Don’t limit your thinking to Christmas itself. Opportunities to think outward might mean buying an extra ticket to a game or concert, inviting one more person to a movie or joining your family for board games and pizza. The key is an outward focus on those who we need to include—people who need people.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Think of those you can invite to join you and your family this holiday season. Make a list of the activities you have planned and, next to it, a list of those you can invite. Send the first invitations out later today.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
MATTHEW 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
